DISNEY'S SKATING AWAY WITH FIVE-YEAR DEAL WITH ISU

ABC, ESPN and Lifetime "reached a five-year contract
Thursday with the International Skating Union [ISU] to
televise major figure and speed skating events run by the
sports' governing body," according to Stephen Battaglio of
the HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. ABC, ESPN, and Lifetime will carry
60 hours of original programming per year beginning next
fall. Included are "all ISU Olympic-eligible figure skating
events, such as the world championships and Grand Prix
competitions." The three nets, which will share 11 figure
skating, five speed skating and four short-track events,
will be able to "cross-promote events throughout the skating
season." Live, same-day turnaround and post-produced events
will all be featured (HOLLYWOOD REPORTER, 9/18). ESPN2 will
also carry some events (Milton Kent, Baltimore SUN, 9/18).